Hay River man faces child porn, extortion charges

RCMP arrested Joel Gordon Thursday after search of his home

A 21-year-old man from Hay River, N.W.T., has been charged with luring minors, distributing child pornography and extortion.

The RCMP arrested Joel Gordon at about 1 p.m. yesterday. Officers executed a search warrant at his home and charged him with possessing and distributing child pornography, luring minors, extortion "and other related offences."

Police say the arrest followed an investigation into luring minors and extortion via social media.

Gordon is still in custody and due to appear in court on Jan. 26 in Yellowknife.

The RCMP are reminding parents and young people to be wary when using social media as it can "provide an easy method of access for potential predators to reach at risk individuals."

Clarifications

This story was erroneously republished on August 25, 2016. It was originally published on January 22, 2016.